Surprisingly Simple Living Room Revamp

From Margaret on January 11th, 2011 in General Remodel

Living room not working for you? That’s fairly common—as often as every January for some. While you may be tempted to rip the whole place down and start from scratch (and maybe scream for satisfaction in the process), you can create an entirely new-feeling living room without the overwhelming hassle—or cost—of completely starting over.

In fact, the revamp can be surprisingly simple. Consider these five tips for making over your living room.

1. Fresh paint for a new year

Don’t disregard the power of paint to make a room feel completely new. If your room is lightly colored, considering going bold with slate gray or even Kelly green. Such a change can add a high contrast to your flooring, ceiling and molding, and will completely change the dynamics of the space.

2. Rearrange and reassess

Take your furniture completely out of the room and arrange from scratch, or swap or reposition key pieces. Also consider changing out furniture between rooms. You may be surprised, for instance, at how well the leather loveseat from your bedroom goes along your living room wall. Or how less is in fact more. Be bold and let go of what you have been used to, to make way for a better situation.

3. Swap out slipcovers, pillows, and lampshades

While your might be initially tempted to replace all furniture and accessories for a new look, consider swapping out a few items instead. Slip-cover or even reupholster chairs and couches—if your wingback chair was gray, consider a bold classic print. Replace pillow covers and even lampshades to create a fresh continuity throughout.

4. Install shelving

Adding shelving can help make order out of chaos. Display beloved items in deliberate clusters. Consider adding floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, or a long horizontal sideboard to collect clutter and resituate your literature, or display that globe collection that you have no idea what to do with.

5. Pare down

Whether it be effectively hiding all of those technology cords or getting the toddler toys finally organized, slimming down on the smaller clutter items will streamline your space and honor the quiet that must balance the visual activity in the room. Think bins. Think systems. Brainstorm on the best special reasoning for the space. It’s like a huge game of living room Tetris—with daily rewards for winning.

Photo Credit: My Design Secrets, Design Home, & Freshome